How many times, when facing a difficulty, have we been told “Grit your teeth”? Sometimes doing that too much can hurt—especially the temporomandibular joint.
Let’s take a closer look at one of the issues that affects the TMJ: bruxism.
Bruxism is an involuntary behavior that involves grinding or clenching the teeth.
There are two types of bruxism:
- Centric bruxism, or involuntary clenching of the teeth – can cause tension and pain in the jaw, ears, neck, and headaches
- Eccentric bruxism, or teeth grinding – can result in noticeable wear of the tooth enamel and the erosion of the front teeth.
What are the main causes of bruxism?
- Dental malocclusion
- Postural problems
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety or stress
What are the most common symptoms?
- Pain (can be localized to the chewing muscles or radiate toward the head or neck)
- Tooth wear (enamel damage and/or tooth sensitivity)
- Gum recession
How can physiotherapy help?
An initial evaluation is necessary to understand the main cause of the bruxism and to establish a therapeutic plan for the best results. Then, our physiotherapist specialized in temporomandibular joint disorders will create a personalized rehabilitation plan tailored to the dysfunction causing the painful symptoms in the jaw and related muscles. Manual physiotherapy treatment can help restore proper movement and let you bite back into life!
